Starting on a Middle Tone

I've had this painting in mind since Hannah and I went down to the river a few weeks ago. But Monday, I had the sudden desire to paint this one on a middle-ground tone. Starting off on the brown ground means that I can focus on the lights and darks. I got the idea from a Sargent painting - a favorite of mine. I love the way he uses the brown ground to play with negative space. I didn't do it nearly as wells as he did. But it was fun and instructive nonetheless.

-ZR